Sewer slime can hang on to SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater
During the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring the levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater entering treatment plants has been one way that researchers have gauged the disease's spread. But could the slimy microbial communities that line most sewer pipes aff.....»»
Small, single-stranded genetic material may account for zoonotic COVID transmission
A study led by researchers at University of Westminster shows that small single stranded genetic material may play a role in how COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) passes from animals to humans and why some animal carriers of the virus may show no symptoms while.....»»
Researchers find inhibitors effective against a coronavirus enzyme
While the first vaccines have been developed against the pathogen SARS-CoV-2, studies are still underway to identify effective drugs for treating coronavirus infections. Scientists in Gießen, Mainz, and Würzburg in Germany involved in a fundamental.....»»
Hepatitis D: How the virus made the jump from animals to humans
Pandemics past and present have been caused when pathogens – germs that cause disease—move between animals and humans, as SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) did when it made its way from bats to people. But not all emerging pathogens hav.....»»
Intimate associations between SARS-CoV-2 and mitochondria suggest new angles of attack
As one wise pundit recently observed, "everybody is a virologist now." For the many people whose interest in biology formerly began and ended with "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell," a second axiom can now be offered, namely, that the v.....»»
Everything We Know Now About Schools, Kids, and Covid-19
Researchers are finally getting good data on how severely SARS-CoV-2 affects children and how they transmit it. What does it mean for reopening classrooms?.....»»
What Are the New COVID-19 Variants, and How Can We Track Them?
We need genetic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2's continual mutations to keep vaccines effective As new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus surge across the planet, public health officials are scrambling to increase genetic.....»»
New method helps pocket-sized DNA sequencer achieve near-perfect accuracy
Researchers have found a simple way to eliminate almost all sequencing errors produced by a widely used portable DNA sequencer, potentially enabling scientists working outside the lab to study and track microorganisms like the SARS-CoV-2 virus more e.....»»
Where does untreated wastewater go in developing countries?
To limit the spread of disease and reduce environmental pollution, human waste (excreta) needs to be safely contained and effectively treated. Yet 4.2 billion people, more than half of the world's population, lack access to safe sanitation......»»
The best stud finders for 2021
Endlessly searching for a stud in your wall is a chore. Luckily, these stud finders are high-tech and straightforward, allowing you to hang with confidence......»»
Study identifies genetic changes likely to have enabled SARS-CoV-2 to jump from bats to humans
A new study, involving the University of Cambridge and led by the Pirbright Institute, has identified key genetic changes in SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—that may be responsible for the jump from bats to humans, and established which.....»»
How Fast Can Scientists Find the New Coronavirus Strains?
The discovery of more contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the US sparks a push for a long-overdue national genomic surveillance network......»»
More Genetic Sequencing Needed To Keep Pace With Coronavirus Mutations
Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2's continual adaptations helps scientists formulate effective vaccines As new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus surge across the planet, public health officials are scrambling to increase gen.....»»
8 investors discuss social gaming’s biggest opportunities
"The next social network needs to be a place to hang also when you don’t come for a game session." The gaming industry has had plenty of watershed moments in 2020 as consumer entertainment habits have shifted in response to the pandemic......»»
Stopping SARS-CoV-2 in its tracks by blocking its main protease
Inasmuch as therapeutic options against coronavirus have been focused mainly on blocking the interaction between its spike protein and the ACE2 receptor on host cells, SARS-CoV-2 has several additional critical proteins that could potentially be targ.....»»
How the humble slime mold helped physicists map the cosmic web
Despite similarities, "We don't think the universe was created by a giant slime mold." Enlarge / A reconstruction of the cosmic web— a vast network of filamentary structures of matter spanning the universe—modeled on the growth patterns of.....»»
Antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 infections: The more the better
Oxford University Hospital tracked infections in 12,500 of its healthcare workers. Enlarge / Oxford University is associated with the hospital that ran this study, as well as a vaccine that is currently undergoing clinical trials. (credit: Gallo.....»»
Antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 infections: Tthe more the better
Oxford University Hospital tracked infections in 12,500 of its healthcare workers. Enlarge / Oxford University is associated with the hospital that ran this study, as well as a vaccine that is currently undergoing clinical trials. (credit: Gallo.....»»
Scientists create polymers to detect banned substances in wastewater
Molecularly imprinted polymers, which have been created with the participation of a SUSU scientist, have become a base for a unique sensor that detects banned substances in wastewater. Police forces in European countries, where the problem of drug pr.....»»
SARS-CoV-2’s spread to wild mink not yet a reason to panic
A monitoring program picked up a single case and no indications of wider spread. Enlarge (credit: Eric Sonstroem / Flickr) Did anyone have "mink farms" on their 2020 catastrophe bingo cards? It turns out that the SARS-CoV-2 virus readily sprea.....»»
What we know about the new SARS strain that’s shutting down the UK
Policy is to treat it like a potential threat, but the emphasis is on "potential." Enlarge (credit: CDC.gov) A variant of the pandemic coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is now dominating headlines and inspiring precautionary travel bans worldwide. But.....»»